OOTA Newsletter March 25, 2014
WRITING AT THE CENTRE Friday 28th March is Poetry with Shane McCauley – 10.00am til noon. POETRY BITES: Friday, 28th March: Renee Schipp will be reading a few poems in the Fremantle Arts Centre Café @ noon. She’d love a large audience! LITERARY NEWS The Cranky Ladies of History Blog Tour “It’s not just about the Cranky Ladies either,” Tehani Wessely writes. “Women’s History Month has been gaining momentum in Australia, so our Cranky Ladies blog tour invites people to contribute their own favourite women of history, ensuring their legacy is remembered.” Co-editor of Cranky Ladies of History, Hobart author and historian Doctor Tansy Rayner Roberts agrees. “I think the theme has hit a chord with readers – I've been surprised and touched by the enthusiasm of our supporters, men as much as women. We've also got great people involved, from our diverse and interesting author list to our anchor artist, Kathleen Jennings, whose reputation is so high that people are willing to buy prints of her work sight unseen because they know it's going to look amazing.” “History has a terrible tendency to erase women, and this is being written about more and more in academia. The Cranky Ladies project is one small way we can help redress the balance, through fiction and a bit of fun, while staying true to the essence of what makes those women so important.” The Cranky Ladies of History campaign runs throughout March on the Pozible crowd-funding platform. http://fablecroft.com.au/about/publications/crankyladies-of-history/cranky-ladies-of-history-blog-tour
City of Fremantle Pledges to Support Iconic WA Literature Award The City of Fremantle has given its support for the next six years for the prestigious T.A.G. Hungerford Award alongside existing partners writingWA, The West Australian and Fremantle Press. As the naming sponsor, the City will provide the winning writer’s cash prize of $12,000 and will play a major role in hosting Fremantle events associated with the award. For more information about the 2014 T.A.G. Hungerford Award visit the writingWA website. Margaret River Readers & Writers Festival 2014 The full program is now available and early bird tickets are on sale until 30 March. Guests featuring at the Festival include authors David Whish Wilson, Peter Goldsworthy, Graeme Simsion, slam poet Eleanor Jackson, poet John Mateer, and many more, alongside a range of journalists, short story writers and publishers. The Festival takes place from May 16-18, with the Friday Genealogical Day already generating a great deal of interest with the inclusion of Who Do You Think You Are? author and researcher Linda Emery. To view the program and to book, click here. Perfect Pitch and Synopsis The cover letter and synopsis you send to an agent or publisher is your only chance to convince them to read your manuscript. Have you done your book justice by polishing these all-important selling documents until they are perfect? Bring along your draft synopsis and cover letter for workshopping. We will also refine your pitch, ensure you have a hook to get the publisher's or agent's attention, and make sure your synopsis is not just a plot summary, but a document that makes the recipient feel compelled to read your book. You will leave the workshop with an understanding of how to refine your pitch so it stands out from the pack. Presented by author and writing teacher Natasha Lester, Sat 29 March, 14pm, at KSP Writers Centre, Old York Rd, Greenmount. Cost: $30 KSP-members/$45 others. Bookings and details here.
An Evening With Peter Goldsworthy Join Perth Theatre Company for a conversation with much loved and awarded Australian novelist Peter Goldsworthy. His novels have sold over 400,000 copies in Australia alone, and have been translated into many languages. Five of his novels — Honk If You Are Jesus, Three Dog Night, The Kiss, Wish and Maestro — have been adapted for the stage. His first novel Maestro was voted by members of the Australian Society of Authors one of the Top 40 Australian books of all time. Join PTC for a conversation with much loved Australian Novelist, Peter Goldsworthy as he discusses the process of writing, his body of work and the experience of seeing his writing adapted for the stage. Not to be missed by fans of Wish. He wrote the libretti for the Richard Mills operas Summer of the Seventeenth Doll and Batavia, the latter winning Mills and Goldsworthy the 2002 Robert Helpmann Award for Best New Australian Work, and a Green Room Award for Special Creative Achievement. In 2010, he was awarded the Medal of Australia for services to literature. This is a rare chance to be in the company of a major Australian talent as we showcase one of his bestloved works for a whole new audience. Not to be missed by fans of Wish, wordsmiths and the written word. For details and bookings, visit: http://www.perththeatre.com.au/show/eveningpeter-goldsworthy/ Venue: Studio Underground, State Theatre Centre of WA Date: Thu 15 May 2014 6:00PM Tickets: $20 Perth Theatre Company is presenting Peter Goldsworthy’s Wish, 14-24 May 2014 at the State Theatre Centre of WA. Discount rates for An Evening with Peter Goldsworthy available if you purchase your show tickets in the same transaction.
2014 Bristol Short Story Prize The 2014 Bristol Short Story Prize is calling for entries Please read the rules carefully before entering: Closing date for receipt of entries is 30th April 2014 at midnight BST. More info at writingWA ≈
One Launch: Five Books Join novelist Sarah Evans and illustrator Gabriel Evans at the Bridgetown Library, April 3, 5.30-7pm, to launch their latest books. Sarah will be launching her rom-com-crime novel, Operation Paradise (Clan Destine Press), e-romance novel Prudence and the Mighty Flynn (Steam eReads), and three e-short story collections; Call of the Wild (fantasy), New Blood (horror) and Killing Kindness (crime), also with Clan Destine. Gabriel is launching a children's chapter book, Annie's Snails (Walker Books Australia), authored by Dianne Wolfer. RSVP 9761 2503 or library@bridgetown.wa.gov.au ≈
WA Branch of the Children's Book Council of Australia is seeking Judges for the Eve Pownall Award, 2015-2016. This Award is part of the CBCA's prestigious Book of the Year Awards and honours the work of Marjorie Evelyn (Eve) Pownall (1902-1982), historian and author of children’s books. She researched and wrote on a wide range of topics most notably works documenting the role of women and children, white and black, in remote areas. She was an early supporter of the CBCA, helping to establish its journal Reading Time and the annual Book Awards. The Award was first presented in 1988, sponsored by Eve Pownall’s family. Since 1993 it has been awarded annually by the CBCA. The Award “will be made to outstanding books which have the prime intention of documenting factual material with consideration given to imaginative presentation, interpretation and variation in style.” * Judges will be appointed for two years. * Judges must be a financial member of the CBCA WA. (You may join on appointment) * Judges should be able to demonstrate in their approach to this non-fiction category a “wide and recent knowledge of children’s literature, especially Australian, and an awareness of illustration techniques, design, editing, printing and production processes.” More info here * Judges will be required to report briefly on the merits of each book within three weeks of receipt of
Henry Lawson Verse and Short Story Competitions The Henry Lawson Verse and Short Story Competitions are open to verse up to 48 lines in four categories: traditional, humorous, free and highschool. Also open to short fiction up to 2,000 words in three categories: open, high school and primary school. Deadline Friday 28 March. For more information download .pdf here
Pitching to Publishers In this month-long course you will work together with your tutor and fellow participants to create a pitch you can make to a publisher that will grab their attention and a proposal that will keep them reading beyond the first sentence. Your tutor will support you to hone your pitch and your proposal so that you can show off your creative work to its best advantage and take it to the next stage in the publishing process. You will have the opportunity to read a number of proposal ideas, as well as drafts of proposals, during this course - mostly from your fellow writers – so you will be able to hone your skills by reading them and offering constructive, supportive comment. Facilitator: Tiana Templeman: More info here FAWWA WORKSHOP Ignite your writing passion with Cath Drake Come along to a fun workshop on the afternoon of Sunday April 6th at a lovely old heritage house in Swanbourne. Write what you know and what you feel passionate about is often the advice that writers’ will give. However, in our busy lives, we often loose sight of what really fires our belly. Have fun tapping into and exploring those embers and see where it leads your writing, and perhaps even your life choices… Sunday 6th April 2-5pm Mattie Furphy House, Clare Copse, Swanbourne Cost $33 ($22 for members of FAWWA & OOTA) Join Scott-Patrick Mitchell in conversation with Annamaria Weldon Sunday 30th March 3.00–5.00 pm Mattie Furphy House, corner Kirkwood St & Clare Copse, Swanbourne More info here.
Call for Papers: The Australian Journal of Crime Fiction The Australian Journal of Crime Fiction is a new quarterly online journal calling for scholarly and critical studies of works that fall within, or challenge the conventions of, the crime fiction genre. Works examined do not have to be Australian. Appropriate submissions include articles up to 5000 words, reviews up to 1000 words, and essay-style or Q&A interviews of crime fiction authors. Submissions should include an approx. 200 word abstract/summary, be double spaced in 12 point font size, utilise Harvard, and be emailed in the format of Word, Open Office, or PDF. Send submissions or inquiries to Amanda Carolyn here. Seeking Submissions Positive Words Magazine is seeking submissions of short stories, articles and poetry for upcoming issues of the monthly magazine on the theme Town MouseCountry Mouse, fact or fiction, dramatic or tongue-incheek. See here for further information. IBBY International Children's Book Day Quiz There will be raffles, games and fun galore during the evening. BYO nibbles etc and drinks available at the bar. Download the flyer with further details here. ≈ The First Thousand Words competition Closing date is 30 April, 2014. Further details here.
Joe O’Sullivan and Joyce Parkes Writers Prizes Closing date is 30 June, 2014. Further details here.
Aesthetica Creative Writing Competition 2014 Closing date is 31 August, 2014. Further details here.
GIGS
POEM OF THE WEEK
Drinking Fire! 28th March 7.30pm for an 8pm start. Share a night of love poetry and song with Sandie Walker, Jaya Penelope and Danny Gunsburg. $12 entry ($8.00 concession) Nibbles tea and wine available on the night. If you want the exceptionally good stuff BYO!! For details ring Sandie 0415322675 or Jaya 0411983549 for the address. Perth Poetry Club –
O DO NOT LOVE TOO LONG
by: William Butler Yeats (1865-1939)
SWEETHEART, do not love too long: I loved long and long,
th
29 March: Features Mega-Open Mike Event @ the Moon Café, 323 William St Northbridge. 2pm – 4pm.
And grew to be out of fashion Like an old song.
March 31st Voicebox 10 x 5 min. open mike. Doors open at 7 pm, poetry begins at 7.30.There is a bar and tea, coffee, snacks and cake will be available for purchase. This month see Fran Graham, Annamaria Weldon, and the winners of the Tom Collins Poetry Prize. The Fly Trap is a cash only venue. See Voicebox Fremantle on Facebook, or email poets.voicebox@gmail.com
CALENDAR 31 – Westerly for July Issue 31 - Ekphrastis Poetry Award 31 - The joanne burns (prose poem/microfiction) Award: 31 – Prole Collaborative Poetry Collection. 31- Fish Anthology Poetry Prize APRIL 2 – The Lake’s Apprentice by Annamaria Weldon 11 – Peter Cowan 600 word short story award 12-13 Nurture: A Workshop for Playwrights 13 – The Writer’s Tales. Details: FAW website. 13 - Stringybark Stories Competition
MAY 1– Elizabeth Jolley Short Story Prize Deadline not advised - Readings New Australian Writing Award.
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All through the years of our youth Neither could have known Their own thought from the other's, We were so much at one.
But O, in a minute she changed-O do not love too long, Or you will grow out of fashion Like an old song.
(Sent in by Joyce Parkes – thank you!)
ootawriters@gmail.com http://ootawriters.blogspot.com.au OOTA Committee 2014 Julie Watts: President Helen Trengrove: Vice-President Leanne Searle: Treasurer / Membership Admin Secretary: Liz Hearnden Helen Hagemann: Newsletter/ Web Committee members: Carolyn Abbs, Flora Smith and Murray Jennings.